Tributes to leading haulier Stan Robinson

Tributes have been paid to a leading figure in the haulage industry who has died after being diagnosed with cancer.

Stan Robinson, founder of the firm bearing his name, was also a former director at Stafford Rangers FC.

A minute's silence was held at the ground before yesterday's home match against Nantwich Town. Mr Robinson was fondly known as "Stan the Man".

The great-grandfather-of-two, from Great Bridgeford, near Stafford, died on Friday evening at the age of 70, a day after being diagnosed with cancer.

His 47-year-old son Mark, a director in the family firm, said: "My dad was first and foremost a family man. He was proud of the business and the success but he always said he would never have been able to achieve any of it without the support of my mum Florence and the great workforce.

"Anyone who knew him would know he was he was not a shirt and tie man.

"He got stuck in when there was work to do. He enjoyed his life, his work and he had a heart of gold."

Mr Robinson started the firm in 1970 with a second-hand four-wheel Commer and successfully built it up, achieving the title Haulier of the Year in 1999. The firm, based in Seighford, Stafford, today employs more than 300 people and is one of the town's most famous firms.

Mr Robinson was associated with Stafford Rangers for more than 20 years and still attended games. The firm is the current shirt sponsor. Today, club chairman Mike Hughes said: "Everyone is shocked. The news hasn't sunk in yet.

"Stan was a down-to-earth, very sociable person.

"He wasn't one for sitting in directors' boxes. He watched the game from the stands with the fans. He will be sadly missed by all of us." Borough council leader Mike Heenan said his thoughts were with the family. "It's been a shock to the business community of Stafford to lose one of its well-known and well-respected members," he added.